keith



E. J. KEITH.

DITCH DIGGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FlLED FEB. B. 1919.

Patented Sept. 9

1919. 2 sHEETS-SHEET1.

L315,51&

E.'J. KEIIH.

DITCH DIGGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION F!LED FEB. 8, 1919.

Patented Sept. 9, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' Speeification of Letters Patent.

Patentcd sm. a, rare.

application flled February 8, 1919. Sertal Ito. 275,73%.

Boit known that I, EPHRAIM J. Knirir, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Sikeston,Scott county, and State of M1S souri, have invented a new and useful Ditch- Digging Machine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to ditch di gging An object of the invention is to provide an Simproved machine adapted. for use in making ditches and the like,' equipped With mccbanism for efiecting perfect control of the operation'of the dipper in excavating, and

' in .discharging the excavated material from the dipper.

V operation with the dipper taking on'a load. v

Win

Another object is to make various improvenients of a general and specific nature in the construction and mode of operation of the machine, allof Which objects Will appear from the following description in whichreference is madeto the drawmg iliustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in Which' Figure 1 is a:view showing the machine in Fig. 2 is a view showing the operation of the machine in: discharging' the material from the dipper.

Fig. 3 is a view showing the connection of the dipper handle or arm With the boom.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the construction by which the boom arm is supported in connection with theupright or mast.

Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the construction et the boom, the mast being shown in section.

Fig. 6 is a detailed view showing a portion of the mast in section and illustrating the spaced holes through the mast for rcceiving the bolts of the boom supporting brackct.

Fig. 7 isa view showing a portion of the dipper handle in section and illustrating the spaced holcs through the dipper handle for receiving the bolts of the handle supporting bracket.

As shown the upright or mast 1 is equippedwith spherical journal members 2 on its upper and iower ends. The Journal member 2 at the lower ends of the inast is fitted within a rccess in a support 3. The

excavations, digg'ing trenches,

base or lower frame 4: and having connectiont0 with the part 6 whereby the latter is rigidly sustained. Additional frame 'members 8 may be employed if dsired With their upper nds bracmg and strengthening the mem: L er J[he mast mounted in the mannerdesctibed is revoluble around a vertical axis in order to swing the dipperiaterafly to difierent positions; 'The mast 1 may be rOcked or revolved around its vertical axis by any' ap propnate device such, for instance, as a arge Wheel 9 secured to the mast and having a rope or cable 10 passing around the same crie or more times and arranged to be operated by an angine or motor, not shown, in a usual and Well known manncr.

The boom is composed of two arms or beams 11 arranged parallel with each other and held in spaced relation byinterposed blocks 12. The inner ends of the beams 11 embrace the mast 1 betwecn them and are supported by a pivot 13 passing through the ends of the beams 11 and through a bracket 14: bolted to the inner side of the mast1. It Will be observed that by this construction the boom, Which is composed of the beams 11, is pivotaily supported atthe inner side of the mast and is held from turning or twisting by the contact of the beams 11 with the sides .of the mast. ][n practice this has been found to be a very strong and eflicient construction which is much superior to an construction with Which 1 am familiar, both because of the strength and durability of the mounting, as Well as because of the equalizing or bal ancing of the weights and forces upon the mast.

J[he boom 11 may be supp0rted in diflerent adjusted positions upon the mast. The adjustm ent of the boom in difi'erent positions is made possible in the particular embodiment showh by providing means for secun ing the bracket 14: in selected positions on the mast. For this purposa spaced holes 13 are formed through the mast adapted to receive the bolts Which support the bracket, so that the bracket may be boited to the mast at any desired altitude.

The boom supports a sheave 15 between the beams 11 approximateiy midway between the mast 1 and the outer ends of the beama The position of the pulley 15 may be varied, for instance, said pulley may be moved toward and away from the mast as desired, holes 15? being provided to receive the axial support for said pulley. A rope or cable 16 passes around the sheave 15 and has one end attached to the frame at the point in dicated by 17 the other strand of the rope assing over a swiveled sheave 18 supported 'y the frame and thence to the motor or engine, not shown, whereby the same -may be operated as required to raise the boom, and to permit the boom to be lowered When it is desired to make an excavation.

' The dipper handle is composed of a beam 19 extending between the beams 11 near their outer ends. A bracket 20 is secured to the outer edge of the handle 19 approximately midway between. the upperand lower ends of the handle; and is supported by a pivot 21 passing through the beams 11 and through the bracket 20. The bracket 20 may be secured to the dipper handle in difierent adjusted positions so that the position of the bracket relative to the upper and lower ends of the dipper handle may be varied When it is desired to obtain greater or less length of the handle below the boom. For this purpose spaced holes20 are formed through the dipperehandle adapted to receive the bolts which support the bracket 20; so that the bracket may be bolted to the dipper handle at any desired altitude.

It Will be observed that an important featurc of the invention involves this method of mounting the dipper handleby placing the dipper handle operatively between the beams 11 and supporting the dipper handle upon a pivot which is between the outer edge of the dipper handle and the outer ends of the beams forming the boom.

The dipper 22 is open at the top and is supported from the lower end of the handle 19 by a number of straps or arms 23. It will be observed that the dipper is arranged so that When a load is in the dipper the handle 19 will be held by the Weight of the load in a vertical position, because the load will be directly below the lower end of the dipper handle. This is because the dipper extends for a distance outwardly beyond the plane of the outer edge of the dipper handle as well as inwardly beyond the inner edge. Thus, when the boom is raised, the dipper Will not be dipped or tilted by the weight Ofthe load, as occurs in many excavating machines heretofore used; but the dipper is arranged so that the weight of the load will balance the dipper.

The open side or end of the dipper is toward the mast so that in order to take a load it is necessary to draw the dipper toward the machine, which may be accomplished by a rope or cable 24 connected to the dipper and passing over 01' a'gainst pulleys or sheaves 25 supportedby the mast 1 andthence t0 appropriate opemting mechamsm.

After the dipper has been loaded the boom is raised by operation of the rope or cable 16; the mast 1 is turned to swing the boom and the dipper laterally by operation of the rope or cable 10; and after the dipper has been swung to the point desired the load is discharged.- The load may be discharged from the dipper by swinging the dipper handle 19 to the position shown in Fig. 2.,

This operation may be effected by a rope or cable 26 having one end connected to the upper end of the dipper handle, the rope or cable passing over a pulley or sheave 27 carried by the frame and thenc to appropriate operating mechanism. The rope or cable 26 may be operated with a sudden pull or jerk to draw the dipper from under the load, thus discharging the load theref1om. The location of the sheave 27 may be varied t0 conform to the adjustment of the dipper handle. Also, the cable 26 may be passed under a pulley 26 and thence over' the pulley 27, in instances where such operation and adjustment are desired; or, the cable 24 may be passed over the pulley 26. The construction and arrangement of the difi'erentparts may be varied in other particulars which do not require specific mention.

From the foregoing it will be observed that my invention comprises many important features of construction Which not only' strengthen the machine, but also simplify and render certain and effective the control and .operation of the machine, both in excavating and discharging the material.

I do not restrict myself to unessential featurcs, but What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A machine of the character described, comprising a vertical mast arranged to turn around a vertical axis; a boom composed of two parallel beams having their inner ends on opposite sides .of the mast; a pivot on the inner 'side of the mast supporting said beams; means for raising the boom; a dipper handle located between the outer portions of the boom beams; a pivot supportin,z the dipper handle and located between the outer edge of the dipper handle and the ends of the boom; and a dipper supported by the lower end of the dipper handle.

2. A machine of the character described, comprising a vertical mast arranged to turn around a vertical axis; a boom composed of two parallel beams having their inner ends on opposite sides of the mast; a pivot on the inner side of the mast supporting said beams; means for raising the boom; a dipper handle located between the outer portions of the boom beams; a pivot suppozting the dipper handle and located between the outer edge of the dipper handle and the ends .of the boom; a dipper supported by the comprising a vertical rhast; means for turn ing the mast about a vertical axis; a boom piotally supported on the mast; a dippor. handle; a pivot located between the outer edge of the dipper handle and the outer ends of the boom supporting the handle in con nection with the boom; a dipper having an open side tovvard the mast; means for sup porting the dipper in connection wit]h the lower end of the haridle; and means ton. drawing the dippentoward the mast in ex- V d1pper"handle -to throw the d1pper out-- wardly frein the machine and beyond the .oute1end of theboom to disi:harge the load fromthe di er.

oavating. 3

d. A machine ing the mast aboutfi verticai}axi;' pivotally supported on thermast handle; a p1vot locatod between- .11;

ed e of the dipper hand le -andLtMx noter ens off the boom supportmg. the;hafindleiib# -.'-'ing*0ne end extendin above the boom; a dipper, havir1g side ;wa 1s and a bottom wall, -supported below the loWer end of the handle connection With the boom; a dippr hWing an open side toward the m'ast;:ineans for supporting the dipper in connectiodwrth; the lower end of the handle; incans for drawing the dipper toward the mast in ex cavating; means for raising' the boom; and means for operating the dipper haridle;t A

discharge the load from the dipPer'. y

Comprising a vertical mast; a boom pivot ally supported by the mast; a dipper handle;

a pivot located between the outer edgeet the dipper handle and the outer ends of the boom midway between the upper and lower frame; and a connectmn from the upper ends of the dipper handle for supporting the dipper handle in connection W1th the boom; a d1pper supported in connection with the lowererid of the handle and hav handle for operating the dipper to discharge the loadtherefrom.

6. A machine of the character describcd,

comprising a vertical mast; hall and socket 7 bearings supporting the mast in a vertical position for rotation about a vertical axis;

a boom having its inner end pivotally Slipported at the 1nner side of the mast; a dipper handle; a pivot between the outer edge v of the haiadle and the outer end of the boom the dipper laterally; and means* for dis-,

charging the load from the dipper.

7. In a machine et the character described, a revoluble mast; a boom pivotally supportthe other endthereof extendin h.ractef .des cribed, comprising a vertical mast; meaflsfor;urn

' coni'prising aframe;flaboom pivotally sup- ;ported in theframe; a-dipper hahdle piva-pulley supported within the frame; a connection fromthe dipper operating against 5. A machine of the oharacter described,"

ed by the mast; means for raising the boom; a dipper handle pivotally supported near the'outer end of thebom and having one end thereof extending above the boom and below the boom; a dippkar having side wal s and abot- 'tom wall su portedbelow the lower end of the handIe-m such position that when the -dipper islbaded the center of the Wei ht -thereot is in axial alinement w1th the 1 or handl;. a. connectionfrom the di rf" or drawing the-dipper toward the mac ne:

to load; and a onnection from the upper end of tho'dipper handle' for jerking the v 8; A'mac ne .of the' charaoter described,

otedto tbebuter end of the boOmfand hav- .insuh position that when the dippear is' loaded the center of the Weight thereof is end of the dipper handle above the boom p;ssing over sa1d third pulley for jerking the dipper handle-to throw the dipp'er ontwardl from the machine beyondthe outer and 0 the boom to discharge the load from the dipper.

9. A machine of the character described, comprising a trame, a mast revolubly 11a mounted in the frame, a boom oivotallyaupported by the mast, a sheave supported by the boom, a rope passing around the sheave and havin one end connected to the frame above the oom, a pullev supporting the in- 5 termediate portion of the. other end of the rope, and a dipper operetively supported by the boom.

10. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a mast revolubly 1 20 mounted in the frame, a boom pivotally supported by the mast, a sheave supported by the boom, a rope. passing around the sheave and having one end connected to the frame above the boom, a pulley supporting the intermediate portion of the other end of the rope, a dipper handle supportedby the boom, a sheave supported by the frame -above the boom, a rope connected to the Upper end of the handle above the boom and ra passing bver said heave, a di per'in c&-' -nection with the lower end the handle bo the bOttom of the frame, another journal member secured to the npper portion of the frame, a mast, a sphemcal bearing member on eachend -of the mast journaled"in said journal members respectively, means for trning the mast, a boom pivotally supported by the mast, a dipper oper'atively suprted b the boom, and a dei7ice for drawmg the ipper toward the machine to load. 12. A machine of the character described, comprising a revoluble mast a boom; means for supporting the boom*1n selected POSI- tions on the mast; a dipper handle pivotally supportcd near the outer end of fche boom and having one end thereof extendmg above the bof/nom and the other end thereof extending below the boom; a dipper supported by the dipper handle below the boom; means for operating the dlpper to load the same' and a connection from the upper end 0 the dipper handle for operating, the dipper to discharge the load. 13. A machine of the character described, comprising a revoluble mast, a oom, means for s1ipporting the,b0om in selecced positions on the mast, a dipper handle, means for supponting the dipper handle in diflcrent adjustments in connection with the mas t, a dipper supported by the handle, and. a

deV1ce for drawing the dipper toward the machine to load. r

14. A machine of the character descriabed,

comprising a frame, a boom, means for supporting the boom at difierenb altitudes within the frame, a dipper handle operatively' supported by the boom, a dipper supported by the handle having an open side toward the frame, means for drawing thedipper towand the frame to load, and means-for fithe boom, a rope connected to the upper end of the handle above the boom, a dipper supported by the lower end of the handle in balanced.position relative to the handle, and means .for drawing the dippertoward the machine 00 load. V 5

'comprising a frame;

16. A machine of the charactet described,

a vertical mast comprising a frame; mounted in the frame for turning movements; a boom; means whereby the boom ma; be p1votally supported at selected alevatmns on the mast; a dipper handle in connection with the boom; a dipper supported by t :he lower end of the dipper handle; -a flemble connection from the dipper for operatmg the same to load; a pulley on the mast againsb which said connection passes; a pulley supported by the frame; and a flexible conncction frm the dipper handle above -the boom passing oVer said last-named pulley for jerking the dipper handle to throw the dipper outwardly from the machineto discharge the load from the d1pper. w

. 17. l bmachine of the character described, compnsm a frame; a vertical mast mounted in the frame for turning movements; a boom; means for supporting the boom in selected adjustments in connection W1bh the mast; a dipper handle pivotally supported by the boom, a dipper supported by the lower end of the dipper handle; a pulley supported by the mast; a flexible connect1on operafiing against said pulley for operat mg the dipper to load; and means for ra1sing the boom.

18. Amachine of the characr described, compnsmg a frame; a vertical mast mounted in the frame for turning movements; a boom; means for supporting the boom in selected adjusfimenfis in connection Wlth the mast; a dipper handle pivotally supported -by the boom; a dipper supported by the loWer end of the dipper handle; a

pu'lley supported by the mastx," a flexible connection operatingagainst*said pulley for operafing the dipper to load; means for ra1sing the boom; and means for tuming the mast to swing the boom laterally;

19. A machine of the character described, A a vertical mast mounted in the frame for turning movements; a boom; means for supporting the boom in selected adjustments in connection With the mast; a dipper handle pivotally supported by the boom; a dipper supported by the loWer and of the dipper handle; a

pulley suppor ted by the mast; a flexible connectmn operating againstead pulley for operating the dipper to load; means for raising the boom; means for turning the mast to swing the boom laterally; and a flexible connection from the upper end of the dipper handle above the boom for jerk 'ing the dipper handle to throw the dipper outwardly from the machine to discharge the load from the dipper.

EPHBAIM J. KEITH. 

